Help is right here at home

Since 2009, the Fairfield Public Library has been assisting the unemployed and those seeking new careers. The Jobs program originally began with a handful of speakers but quickly developed into a job-seekers’ employment resource stop. After the economy tanked in 2008, library officials started seeing a number of people, mostly out-of-work commuters to New York City, who went into the library seeking information on jobs. That got the officials thinking that maybe the Fairfield Public Library could do even more for the new job-seekers. Thus, the program was born. And along the way, it has garnered awards and recognition.
More than 3,000 people have gone to the library to take advantage of the free programming. With the unemployment rate still hovering around 9 percent and because of the success of and need for the program, the Fairfield Public Library continues its series this fall.
Jobs 2011: Back to Work will take place from September to December. In addition to its featured program, the library is offering Small Business Strategies, also from September to December, and Technology Topics, which begins in mid-September and runs through October. There also are networking opportunities and one-to-one career counseling available.
All of the programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required and can be done online at www.fairfieldpubliclibrary.org or by calling 203-256-3160. More information about individual sessions also can be obtained via the website.

Our newest service is “Job Search Boot Camp”, offered every Thursday in September and October at the Fairfield Main Library from 9-11 am. These interactive, hands-on job search strategy sessions are led by Career Consultant Ann Wright from Career Resources Inc in Bridgeport, offering guidance on interviewing, networking, time management and more. Free, drop-in. Call 203-256-3160 for information.